Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/04/2014

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• In a slope preservation zone — areas with slopes greater than 18 %, including land within 20 feet of these areas. • In a bluff impact zone — areas with slopes greater than 30 %, including land within 20 feet of these areas. • Areas of native plant communities anywhere in the MRCCA. • Other areas of significant vegetation identified in local government plans. Vegetation removal activity that exceeds these levels in these specific areas must comply with local government permit conditions that minimize environmental impact. For example, the removal of native plant communities would need to be replaced with vegetation similar to the habitat value, slope stabilization, and stormwater retention value of the removed native plant communities. Another example would require the planting of deep- rooted vegetation on any highly erodible soils that are disturbed. Within the above listed areas, intensive vegetation clearing or clear- cutting is prohibited. The proposed rules also state that the local government must require a restoration plan for violations of the standards. The proposed standards also list the following activities for which NO permit is required: • Pruning of trees and shrubs to maintain plant health and improve aesthetics • Maintenance of existing lawns, landscaping, and gardens • Removal of vegetative cover less than the amounts described above Shoreline Facilities & River Access on Riparian Lots (part 6106.0140) The existing MRCCA regulations do not address shoreline facilities and river access such as access paths, stairways, recreation areas and water - oriented structures. The working draft rules propose the following: • Driveways or parking areas must meet structure setbacks and cannot be placed in the slope preservation or bluff impact zones. • No impervious surfaces within the shore impact zone (50% of structure setback) except for: o Access paths no greater than eight feet wide o Stairways and lifts no greater than four feet wide - landings may be up to 32 square feet in area. • One shoreline recreation area per lot no larger than 5,000 square feet and no wider than 25 feet or 12% of the lot width, whichever is greater, and not extending more than 25 feet landward from the water. • One water - oriented accessory structure for every 300 feet of river frontage. Lots less than 300 feet may have one structure. The water - oriented accessory structure is limited to a 12 foot height, 120 square feet, and must be at least 10 feet from the water's edge. Structures are not allowed in the bluff impact and slope preservation zones. Minnesota DNR- Division of Ecological &Water Resources — 06/02/14